Electrical Safety Checklist | Storm Season Sunshine Coast

Storm season brings heavy rain, strong winds, and the odd power outage to the Sunshine Coast. A simple electrical safety checklist, done early, helps protect your home and family before the weather turns.

Your Electrical Safety Checklist Before Storm Season

Work through this checklist each year in the weeks before storm season sets in:

Test your safety switches using the “test” button every 3 months to check the trip mechanism works
Know where your main switch is, in case you need to cut power quickly
Pack away or unplug outdoor electrical equipment, TVs, and aerials
Check your switchboard for wear, rust, or damage, especially if you’re closer to the coast
Contact us about surge protection, if you haven’t already got it
If you have solar, make sure you know the safe shutdown procedure

If it’s been a while since your switchboard was checked, our electrical maintenance service covers a full inspection, so you’re not guessing where you stand before the season starts.

Electrical Safety Tips During a Storm

These electrical safety tips apply whether the power’s still on or you’ve already lost it:

Switch off and unplug electrical equipment if you lose power
Avoid using a fixed-line telephone during a thunderstorm
Move electrical equipment to higher ground if flooding is possible
Stay well away from powerlines, trees, and water
Keep a battery radio or phone handy for weather updates

Backup Power and Generator Installation

A generator can keep essential circuits running during an extended outage, but it needs a proper change-over switch to isolate your home’s wiring from the street supply. At All Sunshine Electrical, we install generators with the right setup.

Plugging a generator into a regular power point isn’t safe. It can send power back through the network, known as backfeeding, which puts your household and repair crews at risk. If you’re considering backup power, get in touch directly with our team to talk you through your options.

What to Do If You Lose Power or Notice Damage After a Storm

If you lose power, check whether your neighbours have it too. If they do, or the fault seems isolated to your property, you’ll need a licensed electrician rather than Energex.

Power outages and supply issues: call Energex on 13 62 62 (24/7), or check the Energex Outage Finder for live updates on your area.
Fallen powerlines, sparks, or electric shock: call 13 19 62 or 000 immediately.

If you notice damage, don’t touch a switchboard affected by water, fire, or lightning, stay clear of any fallen powerlines, and don’t use appliances that have been in contact with floodwater until they’ve been checked. Avoid doing any electrical work yourself, even if it looks minor.

If your property is reconnected after storm damage, it usually needs a safety check and test certificate from a licensed electrician. Our emergency electrical service is available 24/7 across the Sunshine Coast, whether it’s during the storm or the clean-up afterwards.

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FAQs

Alarms must be photoelectric, interconnected, and installed in every bedroom, connecting hallway, and storey, and be less than 10 years old by next year. These rules already apply to new builds, renovations, and homes sold or leased from 2022, extending to all owner-occupied homes from 1 January 2027.

You will need to update your smoke alarms by 1 January 2027.

Check whether they’re photoelectric, interconnected, correctly placed, and under 10 years old. If you’re unsure, contact us and our licensed electricians will assess your home properly.

Homes that don’t meet the requirement will fall short of Queensland’s fire safety laws, and delayed detection during a fire, especially while everyone’s asleep, becomes a real risk.

There’s also an insurance question mark: providers haven’t spelled out exactly how they’ll handle non-compliant homes, but it’s possible a claim could be affected if your alarms don’t meet the standard. Sorting compliance out ahead of time takes that risk off the table.

Get Storm Ready with All Sunshine Electrical

Whether you want a pre-storm check-up or you’re dealing with damage right now, our team can help. Book an electrical maintenance inspection ahead of the season, or call our 24/7 emergency electricians on (07) 5428 1461.

For more everyday electrical safety guidance, this is What Every Sunshine Coast Homeowner Should Know.

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